It’s not easy to live on less money, but with just a bit of planning and forethought it can be done,

and the rewards for you, your family and your peace of mind will be more than you thought possible.

Get a More Reliable Car

A cheap car isn’t really a bargain if it’s not dependable. If your transportation is breaking down more than ever, it’s time to move on to something better. According to Edmunds.com, used cars are a better choice because a car that is only a year old is 20 to 30 percent cheaper than a new car. Find a car that will fit into your budget and fit your current needs. Edmunds.com suggest you build a target list of three different cars.

The DIY Challenge

With so much online information available, you can fix many things yourself and even do some remodeling on your own, just by following the easy-to-understand instructions found on websites. DIYnetwork.com is a site devoted to DIY projects for bath, kitchen, remodeling, decorating, plumbing and more.

Tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox, a time of year that usually represents the Harvest season. In many traditions and cultures it is a time of reflection, repentance for past sins, and prayers for new beginnings. We can use the energy of this season to master the art of financial self-forgiveness.

Many people struggle with being able to forgive themselves. Self-forgiveness can get equated with “letting yourself off the hook” when actually it is quite the opposite. Inherent in self-forgiveness is the acceptance of what was and what is. It is the ability to genuinely take full responsibility for past actions, but not from a judgmental and self-recriminating place.

We all have committed to a certain relationship to money, whether or not we are aware of it

It is not uncommon these days for couples to craft their own wedding or commitment vows. If you've ever had the privilege of attending some of these handcrafted unions, you are most likely struck with how unique each set of vows is.

Well, it's the same when it comes to money. We all have committed to a certain relationship to money, whether or not we are aware of it. And just like our fingerprints, all of our money vows are unique. My relationship and commitment to money is mine alone, and will not look like anyone else's.

Something I've been thinking about a lot about lately is the concept of "receiving."

It is a theme that often arises in my work with clients because it is struggle for many of them. Receiving, be it a worthy fee from clients, a raise or promotion from an employer, and/or support from the people in our lives-financial and otherwise-can create what one of my clients so aptly termed, 'the squirm.'

Women in particular have difficulty with receiving. For example, think about how you respond when someone 'gives' you a compliment. Are you the type to say "I've looked better" when a friend compliments you on your appearance? As women, we are raised with cultural messages to put others' needs before our own, to not really know and honor our own needs, and/or feel indebted if we do receive. Our identity as women often entails being a 'caretaker' of others, not leaving much room for 'care-receiving'.

A common theme in my work with clients entails assessing the current state of their relationship with money - what's working and what's not - and identifying ways to improve this relationship

For many people, the idea that we actually have a relationship with money is a novel concept. I ask clients to think about how they are treating their money. After some reflection they often sheepishly admit that if they were treated the way they are treating their money, they'd end the relationship!